Photo by Helen Ngoc N.
The British don’t do many things right, but their word for z*t is SPOT on!
Let’s talk about the spot dot…
I think the word pimple is vulgar, so I’ve coopted the British word, and it will forever be known as a spot.
Now that the housekeeping is done, let’s get into it!
What is a spot dot?
It’s a small, circular patch which you place over a spot in order to dry it out, protect it from bacteria and keep it out of the sun. They have ingredients like tea tree oil, benzyl peroxide, or hydrocolloid to treat the spot directly.
They’re also known as zit stickers, pimple patches, acne patches and spot dots.
Depending on which brand you use, they come in a variety of sizes. I believe they grew in popularity thanks to Korean beauty which takes a very 360-degree approach to skincare.
I bought my first packet of spot dots from a Korean beauty store in Madrid called Miin Cosmetics.
The brand: CorsX.
With the CorsX Patches, there are 24 in a pack and they come in 3 different sizes which is really helpful.
I LOVE CorsX brand of patches because:
- Stickability! They last for AGES! I’ve literally showered while wearing a patch and it didn’t budge.
- Price! I believe I paid about €8 for 24 patches, but since I use them once in a blue moon, one pack can last me a year or more. I’ve never experienced any quality loss either.
- They actually work for me! I wore a patch for a full 24 hours, it shrunk my spot by at least half.
- They’re discreet! Since I work on social media, and spend at least 7 hours on Zoom a day, I need discretion. There’s nothing worse than having to be on camera, and feeling self-conscious about something as natural and human as a spot.
4 Reasons to Use a Spot Dot:
No Picking The spot dot acts as a bandage of sorts, and the best part is that you cannot touch or pick at your spot. If you suffer from hyperpigmentation, or scar easily, this is a godsend.
It’s cleaner These patches prevent bacteria and other toxins from further aggravating the area. They also reduce sun exposure.
It accelerates healing Most pimple patches have hydrocolloid which absorbs moisture, drawing out all the things which make acne a pain in the ass!
Fight the stigma More than 50 million people suffer from acne each year, and up to 15% of adult women also experience acne. (Source) There are brands which opt for the bright, star + hearts type of patches versus the more discreet translucent ones I use. You choose!
Photo by Felipe Bustillo
Do Pimple Patches Work?
For me, they do!
I don’t have acne, however, which is classified as a persistent problem and needs to be diagnosed by a professional dermatologist. I have the occasional spot which comes out of nowhere, and a tendency to want to “handle it myself” which I realize is a no-no.
They don’t work for cystic acne, which refers to pimples under the skin’s surface. The patches, however awesome, cannot penetrate that deeply.
They work best for spots that are on the surface, and can be dried out.
The fact that I don’t fiddle with my face is enough of a reason for me to use them!
Have you tried spot dots? Tell me about your experience below!
